Job Description

This position will be the authority for all development and maintenance of the Field Museum’s web applications, databases, and interfaces within a Linux/Apache/mySql/PHP (LAMP) environment. Any applicants are expected to be familiar with the open source community and standards and the latest and greatest web technologies and protocols.

Initially this position will be responsible for implementing a new, robust, standardized web development environment in support of Joomla/Drupal in the IT Department at The Field Museum. Once implemented, this position will oversee the environment, ensuring that it is kept up to date, standardized, and that all development work performed at the Museum is within this environment.

Job Duties

Responsibilities include:

• Implement and manage IT's standardized web environment
  • Responsible for the evaluation, testing, implementation, and customization of open source components, modules, and plug-ins for the IT Department's centrally managed web environment
  • Be a liaison between the Field Museum and the open source web development community. Identify upcoming trends and innovations, translating this into recommendations and ideas for improving the Museum's web environment.
  • Work with IT Management to develop strategic plans and vision for the standardized open source web environment. This includes short and long term budgeting, short and long term strategic planning, and creation of policies and procedures

• Web application design, development, and maintenance
  • Designs new applications, databases, and interfaces as requested and assigned
  • Supports and maintains existing applications, databases, and interfaces
  • Sets standards for and reviews existing databases and web development projects
  • Ensures that all development work is within the open source (LAMP) context

• Database development/administration/troubleshooting
  • Designs database models and implements them; writes custom SQL code.
  • Integrates application front-ends with database back-ends
  • Works with system administrators to perform database administration and troubleshooting for server databases
  • Ensures that all development work is within the open source (LAMP) context

• IT liaison with Museum staff and vendors
  • Collaborate with Museum Enterprises Web Team (Marketing Department)
  • Gather user requirements; propose solutions; coordinate testing.Conduct individual or group training sessions (for example, on content management)
  • Manage consultants on web development projects

• Other duties as assigned
  • Create custom documentation and procedures.
  • Contribute as a technical lead on IT projects managed by a Project Manager.
  • Actively learns and continues education on the web development technologies in use at the Museum.

Approximate Breakdown of Responsibilities:

40% Implement and manage IT's standardized web environment
20% Web application design, development, and maintenance
20% Database development, administration, and troubleshooting
20% IT liaison with Museum staff and vendors

Qualifications

• The position requires a strong leader and a creative individual with a team oriented approach.
• College degree in IT or 3 years minimum work experience as a web developer in open source technologies
• At least 1 year of experience web developing in a production web environmentExpert knowledge of LAMP environment as well as web technologies including Joomla/Drupal, Plesk, Ruby/Rails, AJAX, CSS, XML, RSS, Google Mapping, KML
• Experience building websites and applications in Joomla or Drupal (or both) and working knowledge of associated extensions/plug-ins/add-ons/customizations
• Knowledge of photo editing software (i.e. GIMP), Linux shell scripting, non-mySQL database platforms, and GIS tools a plus
• A passion for the user experience and user interface
• Self-motivated with interest in learning new applications and systems
• Ability to handle multiple issues of varying priority effectively
• Ability to work unsupervised and capable of meeting tight deadlines
• Experience building applications from scratch as well as troubleshooting existing code developed by somebody else
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Scientific background or bioinformatics experience a plus

The Field Museum accepts applications on-line. To apply for this position, please complete the on-line application.
No phone calls please.

The Field Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

[via mcn-l]